An article written by Louise Redgrave, The Landmark Practice’s principal ecologist, has featured in this month’s edition of ‘In Practice’, the bulletin of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM).

The article describes the innovative great crested newt mitigation strategy that The Landmark Practice has developed along with David Wilson Homes at Marnel Park, Basingstoke

Download the IEEM article here

Wadi Dana, The Jordan Rift Valley

The Landmark Practice has been appointed to lead a year long pilot study of the impact of climate change on sensitive habitats in the Jordan Rift Valley. Working with internationally renowned climate change expert, Professor Sandy Harrison of Bristol University, Landmark will manage the project on behalf of the Jordanian Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature.

Jordan is vulnerable to climate change, with anticipated temperature increases of 1 – 2 °C, increased evaporation, reduced recharge of aquifers and shrinkage of grassland predicted to cause desertification of semi arid habitats. The objective of the pilot study is to inform strategic planning for conservation and management so that strategies for adaptation and mitigation of biodiversity loss can be designed and implemented.

The project will use computer-based models to predict ecosystem change. Simulations will be used to identify changes in major vegetation types and ecosystem adaptations, including in the distribution of dominant and indicator species. The pilot project will help to identify priorities for training local agencies in strategic planning, and practical measures to monitor and implement methods to manage changes in vegetation, carbon and water cycling.

Project manager and Principal Landscape Architect Chris McDermott commented

‘We’re delighted to be involved in work which adds to Landmark’s skills in addressing climate change in a positive way. This builds upon our land use planning and green infrastructure work and our experience in bringing forward renewable energy developments. This project will give us practical experience of the tools needed to contribute to the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP), to inform planning for climate change at a strategic and development management level.’

Wildflower Meadow at Aardman Animations

The ‘instant wildflower meadow’ which was laid for Aardman Animation’s new headquarters is looking superb.

What once was a macadam factory and then a contractor’s compound is now a wildlife haven in the heart of Bristol.

The Landmark Practice has used soil-less wildflower turf on numerous projects and it has always been spectacularly successful.

Landmark has used this technique in the past to quickly create habitat for a newt translocation project.  The use of this technique in this instance met with Natural England approval.

Steps at Ajloun Castle

Chris is off to Jordan again, working on their tourism infrastructure in Ajloun.

He also hopes to secure a large contract for a climate change study. It is very much needed out there; the predictions for Jordan do not look favourable.

The Landmark Practice Website

Made a few updates to the Landmark Practice website.

New projects added to the interactive map many with a gallery of images,  take a look.

Comments about this blog or our website very welcome.

The Landmark Practice ecologists have been monitoring the effectiveness of the great crested newt mitigation strategy at Marnel Park, Basingstoke. Monitoring has been undertaken since the commencement of the project in 2004 (on behalf of David Wilson Homes) and preliminary analysis shows that the breeding population of great crested newt in Popley Ponds Site of Importance to Nature Conservation (SINC) may even be expanding.

The mitigation strategy for great crested newts at Marnel Park includes the creation and maintenance of high quality terrestrial habitat for the newts (species-rich grassland and scrub) with purpose-built hibernation sites, including two 40 m wide habitat corridors through the site linking to open countryside beyond.

To accommodate access to the development, the corridors include innovative underpasses beneath the roads. The culvert system was designed because there was a lack of evidence that great crested newts use standard amphibian tunnels and their effectiveness is being closely monitored. Amphibian-friendly road drainage systems have also been employed with dropped kerbs to avoid trapping any newts within the road network. The development also incorporates Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to minimise any adverse hydrological impact on the breeding pond.

Enhancements are also being provided, including creation of two new breeding ponds with the aim of establishing a link to a known breeding colony, approximately 2 km west of Popley Ponds.

The newt habitat has been created on a staged programme in advance of each phase of development to provide compensation for loss of habitat in those areas and the majority of the newt mitigation is now in place.

Monitoring has shown that great crested newts are utilising the corridors, that newts have been shown to pass through the culverts in both directions and usage of the corridors appear to be increasing.

To raise local awareness of the scheme, information regarding the importance of the great crested newt population, mitigation strategy and responsibility for management of the newt habitat is being provided to residents in “Home Buyers’ packs”. Interpretation boards are being provided at strategic points within the newt habitat.

The development also features a great crested newt mosaic, designed by local school children and the internationally-acclaimed artist Julieann Worrall Hood in a project sponsored by David Wilson Homes.

Full legal protection makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take water voles, intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection and to intentionally or recklessly disturb water voles whilst occupying a structure or place used for that purpose.

There is a defence against the above when the action is the incidental result of an otherwise lawful operation and could not reasonably have been avoided. Natural England has published guidance for planners and developers ‘Water voles – the law in practice‘ , which is available via its website 

This is the third wind energy scheme to be granted planning approval in Bristol and The Landmark Practice has managed the environmental planning issues for all three:

• Bristol Port Company’s three iconic wind turbines, granted consent in December 2006, now in operation and clearly visible from the M5 motorway
• Planning consent for two 3 mega watt turbines for Bristol City Council, on a disused oil depot on the shores of the Severn Estuary, granted consent in January 2009
• Planning consent for four 3 mega watt turbines for Wessex Water, granted in March 2009, to be built at the sewage works beside the M49

Collectively, these nine wind turbines will generate the same output of a moderately sized wind farm, and will make a significant contribution to the South West Region’s renewable energy targets. At a local scale, they will generate well over 50% of the former Avon’s entire 2010 renewable target.

Dr Mark Wright, Chairman of the BCC North Area Planning Committee, commented:

“Avonmouth is an area with excellent wind resource and also significant power demand. It makes obvious sense to put these two together in the most obvious way by installing wind power turbines. The approved plans in this regard are welcome and I look forward to future sets of plans being brought forward.”

When assessing the viability of the latest Avonmouth wind power project, Wessex Water and The Landmark Practice faced twin challenges:

• Proximity to a large urban population
• Proximity to the internationally important bird protection area of the Severn Estuary.

The Landmark Practice’s detailed environmental assessment of potential impacts proved that the wind turbines could be accommodated without damage to nature conservation interests. Careful attention was paid to the precise siting of the turbines to ensure that the effect on wildlife is mitigated. Public consultation identified considerable public support for wind turbines in the Bristol area.

Bernice Roberts, Principal Environmental Planner at The Landmark Practice commented that:

“Opposition to wind turbines usually stems from fear of the unknown, or of change. To allay such fears, it is essential that the environmental assessments we carry out to inform these schemes are thorough, accurate and robust. This helps the planning authority to reach a properly informed and confident decision.”

Bristol City Council’s North Area Planning Committee granted unanimous approval to the Wessex Water wind power project on 26 March.

Download Press Release

The article includes a ‘question and answer’ section and gives the following introduction to The Landmark Practice:

“Nick Roberts launched The Landmark Practice in 1985, initially as a trading arm of Avon Wildlife rust, to offer landscape design based on ecological principles.  The business flourished in response to market demand to meet increasingly stringent planning law on environmental conservation. Today, a team of landscape architects, environmental planners, ecologists and graphic designers work to deliver realistic, cost-effective and innovative measures to mitigate adverse impacts of development. It covers all aspects of environmental planning, design and management. from baseline landscape and ecological evaluation to project design and long-term monitoring of developed sites. The company guarantees quality by ensuring that a principal consultant, supported by this highly qualified team, manages all projects. The Landmark Practice actively supports environmental causes and promotes education by working with universities and CPD trainers to provide specialist skills in environmental planning and ecology. In 2007, it was awarded the first RTPI Environmental Planning and Protection Award for its work in the sector.”

For more information about the RTPI Environmental Planning and Protection Award, click here.

To read the article in full, please select the link below

Vista Article (Pdf file, 287 kb)